Mauritania Roundup: Mauritania and Italy cooperation, new public procurement code, investment for Mauritania Airlines,

Indian Embassy marks National Day in Nouakchott

The Indian Embassy in Mauritania hosted a formal reception in Nouakchott on Monday to mark the 76th anniversary of the Republic of India’s National Day, drawing senior Mauritanian government officials and diplomats. Mauritania was represented by Daman Ould Hemar, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, who attended on behalf of Foreign Minister Mohammad Salem Ould Merzoug. Other officials present included Lemina mint El-Ghotob Ould Mema, a special assistant at the Presidency, Al-Hassan Mahamoudou Al-Hussein, and Mohamed Al-Hanshi El-Ketab, Ambassador and Director-General for Bilateral Cooperation.

Mauritania and Italy cooperation

On the same day, Foreign Minister Mohammad Salem Ould Merzoug received a high-level delegation from Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nouakchott, led by Stefano Gatti, Director-General for Development Cooperation, alongside Italian Ambassador Paola Maria Cristina and senior officials. According to the foreign ministry, discussions centred on expanding bilateral cooperation and identifying new development opportunities under Italy’s MATI plan, a strategy aimed at strengthening African partnerships through sustainable economic development, curbing irregular migration flows and improving energy security.

New public procurement code

Mauritania’s Council of Ministers has approved a new public procurement code, a reform designed to overhaul the way the state awards contracts and manages public spending. The move is intended to improve transparency, modernise bidding procedures and ensure greater oversight of government projects, according to national media reporting. Officials say the reform forms part of broader efforts to strengthen governance and attract private investment by making state contracting more predictable and competitive. The new framework is also expected to align Mauritania’s procurement practices more closely with international standards, particularly in large infrastructure and development projects financed with foreign partners.

Major investment for Mauritania Airlines

The government has issued state guarantees to back a major investment programme for Mauritania Airlines, signalling renewed efforts to stabilise and expand the national carrier. Media reports say the guarantees are aimed at supporting fleet renewal and operational growth as the airline seeks to improve regional connectivity and service reliability. Aviation analysts view the move as part of a broader transport strategy to strengthen Nouakchott’s role as a regional hub and support tourism and trade. Officials have argued that reinforcing the airline is critical for economic diversification and for linking Mauritania more effectively with neighbouring countries and international markets.

Kinross Gold prepares financial update

Mining giant Kinross Gold Corporation has announced plans to publish its 2025 fourth-quarter and full-year financial results, along with its 2026 outlook, keeping investor focus on Mauritania’s extractive sector. The company operates the Tasiast gold mine, one of the country’s most significant foreign-owned mining projects, and its forthcoming update is expected to shed light on production levels, costs and future investment plans. Developments at Tasiast are closely watched because of the sector’s importance to government revenues, exports and employment.